Human Development, B.A. Program (120 units)
Program Description
Human Development is an interdisciplinary program that integrates theory and methodology from disciplines such as anthropology, biology, linguistics, psychology, and sociology. The program explores the processes and mechanisms underlying developmental change and stability across the lifespan and the socio-cultural and historical contexts in which development takes place.
The Program’s curriculum aims to develop in students a basic understanding of major research findings and core concepts in human development, the ability to analyze and evaluate theoretical and practical issues in the field, and the skills to apply learning to diverse communities outside the University. The Program strives to create an optimal learning community that values and fosters collaborative learning and dialogue between and among students and faculty from diverse backgrounds.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a B.A. in Human Development from California State University, East Bay will be able to:
- Demonstrate core knowledge in biological, psychological, and socio-cultural aspects of human development.
- Model critical thinking ability by summarizing, comparing, synthesizing, and critiquing interdisciplinary human development perspectives.
- Assess information; design and conduct individual and/or group research projects, and present them clearly, logically, and persuasively.
- Identify and evaluate problems by applying human development knowledge in diverse contexts; and
- Infer the ability to understand themselves reflectively and others empathetically.
Career Opportunities
The interdisciplinary approach of the Human Development Program provides students with excellent preparation for graduate study in a wide range of disciplines, including anthropology, education, social work, sociology, medicine, public administration, law, criminal justice, psychology, and counseling. It also prepares students to work with people of all age groups from diverse racial, cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, religious backgrounds, and sexual orientations. Students majoring in Human Development find a variety of career options in areas such as:
Education • Social work • Health care • Counseling • Law and law enforcement • Human resource and organizational work in community or corporate settings
Features
- Human Development faculty members come from a wide range of academic disciplines, including anthropology, biology, human development, linguistics, neuropsychology, psychology, and sociology.
- Students select one of five Concentrations: Early Childhood Development, Childhood Development, Adolescent Development, Adult Development and Gerontology, or Women’s Development.
- Minor in Human Development and Minor in Women’s Studies (please see Women’s Studies Minor) are also offered.
- As part of its commitment to educational access, the Program incorporates a broad range of educational formats, including online classes, hybrid classes that combine an online component with face-to-face interaction, and face-to-face lecture/discussion and seminar classes.
- The program also offers its major through P.A.C.E. (Program for Accelerated College Education). Please contact the P.A.C.E. office for further information.
Degree Requirements Unit-Outline
- A baccalaureate of arts degree requires a total of 120 units:
- The major requirements consists of 53-55 units;
- General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consists of 57 units;
- Free Electives may consist of 8-10 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).
Note: It may be possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements or that a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.
Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements
In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Requirements, Exams & Testing chapter of this catalog.
